HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM MARYLAND EIP! 

We look forward to developing and sustaining relationships with families, providers, and those in our community. This year let's work together to increase understanding and our ability to identify and treat early signs of psychosis!
 

Peer Support Spotlight

The MEIP has convened a workgroup to discuss possibilities for its Early Intervention Teams to add Peer Support Services to the specialty care they provide to young people experiencing psychosis and their families. To get started, members of the workgroup had a meeting with Dr. Nev Jones, a national researcher who has developed a guidance manual for involving peers in early intervention services. Dr. Jones discussed the value of peer involvement for young people and reviewed the research she has done in this area. She discussed the recruitment and involvement of peers in EIP teams, funding streams currently being pursued by other states, diverse roles peers are filling across systems, and some of the unique qualities of supervision and on-the-job supports  for youth peer supporters. The workgroup which also included stakeholders in other youth-serving Maryland programs interested in pursuing young adult peer support will have additional meetings to better specify the ways that peer involvement can enhance early intervention services and other youth services in Maryland, as well as explore cost-sharing options. 

You can access the guidance manual developed by Dr. Jones at:
http://www.nasmhpd.org/sites/default/files/Peer-Involvement-Guidance_Manual_Final.pdf  

If you’re interested in joining the workgroup, please contact Melanie Bennett at mbennett@psych.umaryland.edu  
 

The  Maryland EIP offers four services to support individuals, families, and professionals who may encounter early psychosis:

1. Outreach and Education Services – To behavioral health providers, schools, and primary care settings. For more information or to schedule a presentation to your organization, contact Eryn Bentley at ebentley@psych.umaryland.edu.
    
2. Clinical Services – For 12-30-year-olds who present with clinical high risk symptoms that may be predictive of future psychosis, who have early signs of psychosis, or are in the initial stages of psychoses. Services include the Strive for Wellness Clinic, the MPRC First Episode Clinic (FEC), and the Division of Community Psychiatry’s RAISE Connection Program.
    
3. Consultation Services – To providers regarding identification and treatment for individuals that may be experiencing symptoms that may be predictive of future psychosis, who have early signs of psychosis, or are in the initial stages of psychoses.
    
4. Training and Implementation Support Services – Will establish Early Intervention Teams (EITs) throughout the state and create a learning collaborative so that EITs and others providing services to those with early psychosis can collaborate, share resources, and provide support and coordination of service delivery.

All EIP initiatives may be contacted through our toll free number or e-mail. A trained specialist is available to guide you toward the appropriate services. For more information on accessing services offered through the EIP, visit www.MarylandEIP.com.